Cigar lighter



Aug. n, 11925.

J. F. WILLIAMS CIGAR LIGHTER Filed March 6. 1924 /@Ufmeoo A 7% w MM@Patented Aug. 11, 1925'.

A*UNITED STATES JAMES F. WILLIAMS, 0F SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI,

CIGAR LIGHTER.

Application filed March 6, 1924. Serial No. 697,308.

To all whom, t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JAMES F. WmLIAMs, a citizen oi' the United States,residmg at Springfield, in the county of Greene and State of Missouri,have invented certain new and useful In'iprovements in Cigar Lighters;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in cigar lighters of the typeemploying a fuelsaturated wick and electrical means for igniting thesame when a cover is opened, the object of the invention being toprovide an extremely simple and inexpensive, yet an etlicient device ofthis character.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subjectmatter hereinafter described and claimed, the description beingsupplemented by the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a side elevation.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View.

Figure 3 is a detail vertical section as indicated by line 33 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing above briefly described, the numeral 1 designates asupport which may well be in the form of a horizontal metal plateforming the top of an advertising cabinet 2. I have shown the upper sideof the plate 1 provided with an integral boss 3 through which is Jformedan opening 4 for receiving a wick 5 whose lower end extends into anappropriate fuel reservoir 6. The boss 3, around the upper end of theopening 4, is preferably formed with an upstanding lange 7 co-operablewith an electrode 8 in forming a spark to ignite the wick 5. Theelectrode 8 is adapted for connection to a source of high tensioncurrent supply and this electrode, with the exception of its upperterminal, is preferably provided with an insulating covering 9 which issnugly held in an insulating sleeve 10 passing through an opening 11 inthe plate 1 and boss 3, adjacent the opening 4.

Near the opening 11, I have shown another opening 12 formed through theparts 'l and 3, and through this opening, a current return post 13passes, said post being insulated at 14from the parts 1 and 3 and havingits lower end in the form of a binding post for connection to a currentreturn wire 15.

A metallic cover 16 is provided for the wick 5, the electrode 8 and thepost 13. This cover is hinged at 17 to one edge of the boss 3 and at oneside it is preferably formed with an inwardly extending boss 18. In thisboss, a bore 19 has been shown, said bore opening through the outer sideof the cover 16 and having its open end normally closed by a screw plug20. A relatively small opening 21 leads from the inner end of the bore19 through the inner side of the boss 18 and slidably receives a contactpin 22. This pin is provided with an enlarged head 23 received in thebore 19, and a compression spring 24, eonlined in said bore, 'pressesagainst said head to normally project the pin 22 inwardly, in positionto strike the post 13 when the cover 16 is opened.

Assuming that the cover 16 is closed, the operation of the device is asfollows t-Upon opening the cover, the contact 22 strikes the post 13,whereupon an electric circuit is momentarily completed, and the currentflows through the electrode 8, jumps to the flange 7, and from thisflange passes through the boss 3, hinge 17, cover 18, Contact 22 andpost 13, to the wire 15, through which it returns to its source. Injumping from the electrode 8 to the flange 7, a spark is of courseproduced which ignites the wick 5, and when the cover is again closed,the ame is of course extinguished.

As excellent results are obtainable from the details disclosed, they maywell be followed, but within the scope of the invention as claimed,numerous changes may be made.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a metal support having anopening to receive a fuel-saturated wick, the metal of said supportabout the outer end of said opening being formed so as to provide astationary electrode, a second stationary electrode to co-operate withthe first named electrode, said second electrode being carried by andinsulated from said support adjacent said opening and being adapted fordirect connection to a source of high tension current, a stationarycurrent return post projecting from and insulated from said support, ametallic cover hinged to said support to cover said wick, electrodes andpost, and a contact carried by said cover in electrical engagementtherewith, said Y contact being adapted to strike said post when thecover isopened, thereby completing a circuit and causing a spark to jumpbetween said stationary electrodes to ignite the Wick.

2. A device of the class described comprising a metal support having anopening to receive a fuel-saturated Wick, thel metal of said supportabout the outer end of said opening being formed so as to provide a staVtionary electrode, a second stationary electrode to co-operate with thefirst named electrode, said second electrode being carried by andinsulated from said support adjacent said opening and being adapted fordirect connection to a source ofhigh tension current, a stationarycurrent return po'st projecting from and insulated from said support, ametallic cover for the Wlck, electrodes and post hinged to said support,and having an opening transverse to said post, and a spring-pressedcontact mounted in said opening and adapted to strike said post when thecover is opened, thereby completing a circuit and causing a spark tojump between said stationary electrodes to ignite thc Wick.

3. A device of the class described comprising a metal support having anopening to reccive a fuel-saturated wick, the metal of said supportabout the outer end of said opening being formed so to provide astationary electrode, a second stationary electrode to co-operate withthe first named electrode, said second clectrodebeing carried by andinsulated from said support adjacent said opening and being adapted fordirect connection tota source of high ten sion current, a stationarycurrent return post projecting from and insulated from said support, ametallic cover for the wick, electrode and post hinged to said supportand having an internal boss,said boss having a bore transverse to saidpost and a relatively small opening from the inner end oli' said borethrough the inner end of the boss, a contact pin slidable in saidrelatively small opening and projecting from said boss to strike saidpost when the cover is opened, said pin having a head in said bore, anda .spring in said bore acting against said head to project said pin.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aiixed my signature.

JAMES F. WILLIAMS.

